She has played rugby at multiple venues on several continents but Springbok Women flanker, Sinazo Mcatshuwa, maintains that the principles of the game remain the same, even at the Grammar Juniors Rugby Football Club in Auckland.

This is where the South African Women’s side had their first field session since arriving in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup. 

 “A lineout is the same thing irrespective of where you train for it,” said Mcatshulwa. “Today’s session, where we did lineout work amongst the forwards, demanded the same execution and focus from us as the sessions last week in Cape Town did, or in Japan two months ago.

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 “Yes, it is the World Cup, and we are starting to think about that first game against France, but my job is still to win my ball and to do my roles in that phase. It starts with the individual to get things right and that will benefit the team.”

With 15 caps and seven Test tries to her name, Mcatshulwa has been an integral part of the Springbok Women since making her debut against Wales in 2018. 

The Springbok Women come into the tournament with great form – in fact, according to World Rugby’s rankings, with five wins from six Tests this year, Stanley Raubenheimer’s side gained the most ranking points of any team (5.11) from June to September, and climbed two places to 11th.

The French are fourth in the rankings and amongst the tournament favourites, but for Mcatshulwa it will be all about the application.

“We know what we need to do to be successful against them – we have a plan that we will try and execute and force on them,” she said. “Yes, the opening game will be a big thing and playing at Eden Park will be special, but the basics remain the same. If I win my lineout, we can play. If we play, we give ourselves a chance. We are not going to overthink this game.”

The Bok Women will continue their preparations with field sessions this week and on Saturday will have a training match against Scotland.

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Photo: Twitter/@WomenBoks